Should you buy a Jetour T2 in South Africa?

The design

South Africans have a long-standing love affair with boxy SUVs (think Defender and Suzuki Jimny). The T2 nails this "two-box" design and has certainly taken its inspiration from the likes of the Defender.

• Rugged presence: It features a vertical front face, a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and bold, square lines.

• Spec sheet capability: With 220mm ground clearance and a 700mm wading depth, it will appeal to those looking for an off-roader.

• Value: Starting at R569 900, it offers the presence of a luxury off-roader for hundreds of thousands of Rands less than established European and Japanese rivals.

  
  

Key considerations

There is no such thing as a silver bullet when it comes to vehicles; there's always a compromise to be made. Considering the T2's appealing looks, solid interior quality, good after-sales package and appealing price, there are certainly things one must consider when buying. Note that these are not dealbreakers; I am simply reporting what I feel prospective buyers should consider. Many owners may not use their T2 for serious off-roading, and may just want the product for its perceived value, practicality and styling. With that in mind, let's look at some of the pitfalls.

The gearbox heat issue

The T2 uses a wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT). While wet DCTs handle heat better than dry units, they are still fundamentally different from the torque converters found in the likes of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

• The hill struggle: On long, steep inclines or slow-speed crawling, the DCT must constantly "slip" the clutches to maintain low-speed momentum. This generates immense friction heat. Owners in hot climates (like the UAE and South Africa) have reported "Transmission Overheating" warnings during sustained mountain climbs or heavy sand driving.

• Limp mode: When it gets too hot, the car’s software will often force you to pull over or will significantly reduce engine power to protect the clutches.

• Third-party fix: In some enthusiast communities, owners are already installing auxiliary radiator fans or larger transmission coolers to mitigate this, which suggests the factory cooling capacity is right at the limit for heavy-duty use.

Underpinning softness

Because the T2 is a unibody design rather than a ladder frame, its underpinnings aren't as robust as they appear.

• Suspension bushing wear: Early reports suggest that the suspension bushings and control arms are tuned more for plush city comfort than corrugated dirt road durability. Owners who frequently take them on washboard gravel roads have reported premature squeaks and knocks from the front end.

• Underbody protection: While it has a decent look, the factory skid plates are not as hardy as those in proper off-roaders. If you plan on doing rocky trails, you'll find that the vulnerable oil pan and transmission housing are less protected than the rugged exterior suggests.

• While the T2 lacks a low-range transfer case for hardcore rock crawling, most SA buyers spend 90% of their time on tar and 10% on gravel roads. The unibody design offers superior on-road comfort and handling compared to the "bouncy" feel of traditional ladder-frame 4x4s.

• Wheel Alignment Sensitivity: Due to its independent rear suspension (uncommon in hardcore 4x4s but standard here), the T2 can lose its alignment more easily after a rough weekend off-road, leading to uneven tyre wear on your commute back to the city.

Electronic gremlins

• The "X" Mode Confusion: The "X Smart Mode" is designed to pick the best setting for you, but owners find it can be indecisive in mixed terrain (e.g., transitioning from mud to hard rock), causing the traction control to cut power abruptly just when you need momentum.

• The 8155 chip lag: Even with the high-end Snapdragon chip, reports have found that if the cabin gets too hot (parked in the sun), the infotainment system—which controls almost everything, including the AC—can take several minutes to become responsive.

Ageing quickly

• One of the most appealing aspects of rugged, boxy SUVs is their ability to age well, whether this be from their exterior design to their interior. The relatively analogue nature of many of these models suggests they will age well. The T2, on the other hand, may feel redundant from an interior tech perspective sooner, given how highly digitised its interior is. For example, I have owned a Suzuki Jimny for seven years now, and its retro interior means it is ageing rather well, despite never truly being impressive to start with. Products like the Defender and T2 may feel dated over time, despite being very impressive during their production run. There is something to be said for simple, analogue interiors when it comes to longevity.

Lifestyle over utility

Jetour has marketed the T2 under its "Travel+" philosophy, positioning it as a lifestyle tool over just a car. The brand launched the Jetour Owners Club almost immediately, hosting massive festivals (the event in Johannesburg drew 3 000 people)

Tech-heavy interiors

South African buyers are increasingly tech-savvy, and the T2’s cabin feels like a generation ahead of ageing ladder-frame competitors:

• Processing power: It uses the Snapdragon 8155 chip, ensuring the 15.6-inch central screen is fast enough for the smartphone generation. As mentioned, direct sunlight can affect performance, and this will age quickly and eventually feel a bit obsolete compared to newer models.

• Standard luxury: Even the "base" Aspire model includes a panoramic sunroof, a 540° camera system with a "transparent chassis" view, and Level 2 ADAS safety tech.

• Premium audio: The flagship Odyssey trim features a 12-speaker Sony surround-sound system.

  
  

Addressing Chinese Car Scepticism

To win over a market obsessed with reliability, Jetour introduced an aggressive after-sales package:

• 10-Year / 1 Million km engine warranty: This is a massive psychological safety net for the first owner. It is important to note that this applies only to the engine.

• Gold status support: Jetour achieved Gold Status in the 2025 NADA Dealer Satisfaction Index, proving that their parts supply (98.8% first-fill rate) and dealer support are robust enough to keep cars on the road.

  
  

Verdict

The T2 is a compelling proposition, and now that you're armed with the knowledge of what makes it both compelling and potentially less appealing, you can make an informed decision.

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